Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 122

Cordelia sat slumped at her desk, now changed into her cozy pajamas. Elbows planted firmly on the wood, she cradled her smartphone in her hands, awaiting a reply from the members of her social group chat.

Since yesterday, the question had been gnawing at her, who exactly was Everard? Even Sanderson, the guy who knew everyone in town, didn’t recognize the name. Could it be that Everard was a ghost, a figment of her Imagination?

This morning’s chat in the Pioneers Group sparked a realization, the group was a melting pot of professionals from various fields. Surely someone might know him, right?

But after she posted her question, the chat fell eerily silent.

After a torturous two–minute wait, a reply finally popped up.

Bland asked, [Lia, are you pulling our leg? How could you not know him?]

Cordelia blinked, her instincts telling her that Bland knew Everard. She typed back hastily, [Who is he?]

Silence fell over the group once again.

Just as she was about to probe further, another message came through.

Nolnterruptions said, [Never heard of him.]

Like an icebreaker, the message prompted a flurry of responses.

Pianoman said, [Nope, doesn’t ring a bell.]

Mathster replied, [A mystery to me.]

Painter said, [Who?]

Chef replied, [Not a clue.]

Others all replied, [No idea.]

Everyone chimed in except Louie Adams. Cordelia’s brow furrowed as she read the stream of ignorance, finally addressing Bland directly, [So, you’re the one who knows him, @Bland?]

Bland replied, [No, I definitely do not.]

was confused,

replied, [Sorry, must’ve been a brain fart. Got the

was speechless, […]

and nobody knew him?

echoing Painter’s earlier message – [If anyone digs

book “The Periodic Table” that she’d borrowed from her grandmother. The technical jargon

flipped through the pages with a

have been more true. She had thought her high school education was comprehensive and had even self–studied some college material, but compared to the true

double down on her efforts.

PM when Lorna brought her a cup of milk and honey. “Get some sleep, dear. You have to rest to regain energy,”

to good advice, nodded in

setting her alarm when a new message popped up on her phone,

asked. [Lia, why are you asking about

from Louie. She pondered for a moment before replying with the naked truth, (He’s my boyfriend]

response came quickly, No way. Is he in

[Yes, do

for a full ten minutes before sending back a cryptic message: [Be careful around him in

mean by keeping her distance? They

sighed deeply, replying. I can’t stay away

to misunderstand, thinking she was waxing poetic about love, just as Lorna and Sanderson would. But how could

she could decide, Louie

she responded: [Because “Love or Die” curse. Do

Louie went silent.

another ten minutes, but still no

see your granddad about a treatment tomorrow, and we can talk

He actually

Anyone else might have called him immediately, but Cordelia was patient by nature. If

a single word –

the phone down, dried her hair, and slipped into bed. Just as she was about to turn off the device, it rang, the sharp tone

screen, recognizing Everard’s number. What could

she answered, and a familiar voice, more velvety than she remembered, greeted

in the nocturnal stillness, somehow more

he stated, his voice so soothing it